A manhunt has been launched after a homeless man was stabbed by strangers in broad daylight in the town centre.

Two men are believed to have carried out the shocking attack in an alleyway next to Park Green where the victim had been sleeping.

Police say there is no clear motive for the attack.

The 47-year-old victim was stabbed just after 10am in the alley at the side of the United Reformed Church (URC), as Macclesfield Christmas Tree Festival got under way in the church for the day.

He suffered two stab wounds to his legs and staggered from the alleyway with blood-soaked jeans to Townley Street. He knocked on the back door of the church and members of the community who were helping at the tree festival came out to help him.

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John Clarke, 69, who lives on Townley Street with wife Susan, who is caretaker at URC, was among those who came to help.

He said: “He came to the door and said ‘I’ve been stabbed’. It was a gruesome sight. There was blood everywhere, soaked through both legs of his jeans. He said ‘there are some bad people in the world’.

“He’s homeless and used to sleep in the church porch. He’s been around for about 10 years.

“I’ve lived here for 20 years and nothing like that has happened before. It’s scary. This shouldn’t happen to anyone.”

Macclesfield mayor Alift Harewood-Jones has condemned the attack.

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She said: “It’s shocking that a homeless man who’s done nothing to annoy or harm anyone could be attacked like this. If he didn’t know them then that’s worse, it’s a worry to us all. And for it to happen just before Christmas, they have no respect for this special time. We should not tolerate this kind of violence.”

The man was attacked at around 10.15am on Saturday, December 10. He does not know what he was stabbed with. He was airlifted to hospital and released the next day after treatment.

Police say it’s an isolated incident.

Det Insp Claire Jesson said: “It’s not clear what the motive for the attack was. We’re determined to find those responsible and appeal for anyone with information to contact us.”

Contact police on 101 quoting incident 309 of December 10 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.